Author: Walloon Writers Review

Last night, McLean & Eakin Booksellers and Mackinaw Trail Winery and Brewery hosted a local writers night event that showcased published local authors and invited others to share their writing in an open mike format.

What a great night for writing and writers. We got to hear dynamic and subtle words crafted into stories, fiction and legend supported with well-researched facts, passionate poetry and a children’s story in progress. Humor and grace, fantastic and soulful writing crossed the mike last night. Super short fiction written with such searing precision left you speechless while your brain processed the images the writer unfolded in such efficiency.

Walloon Writers Review also said a few words about this literary magazine, as well. The idea that I had hoped to share was that we have stories to share about Northern Michigan and the UP, poetry inspired by the moments that we all know so well that are inspired by the natural beauty around us: the angry thrash of rushing snowmelt to the lake, the now all too familiar howl of winter wind bringing astonishing cold and beautifully sculpted drifts of our pure snow, summers sunsets and winters stars; the deer that just looked in my window hoping I’m going to fill that bird feeder again before I leave for the day so they can tip it over, like a bizarre Pez candy dispenser; or the still of the great forests; the ride across the ice bridge or the pull of the ferry as it leaves the dock.

Maybe your start is here, with Walloon Writers Review. Maybe you just have a great story to tell – like Larry Parrott shared in Volume Three about Camp Michigania, or J.W. Jordan’s Drilling for Bats or a gentle legend, like Nancy Hirschenberger’s story, Why The Bull Elk Bugles. Maybe your passionate poetry soars like a kite in spring winds and captures that moment, crystallizes the rush of emotions that stirred while you flew across the field in your snow machine or paddled your canoe down the river.

Thank you for letting me share some of my passion about writing, and why I created a place to share your Northern Michigan/UP stories, tales, poems and creative writing, as well as photography. These stories resonate our place on the map, our history, our natural spectacular setting. The story or poem or tale or stunning photograph often grows from the experience we have by being here. Sharing creative writing and photography, letting the world see through your eyes for a moment or read your unique perspective can be exciting and a little scary. Here, between our covers, is the place where your story and poetry, creative writing and photography can be shared by an enthusiastic group of readers who, like you, share a passion for this place.

I also admitted my stubbornness in producing a print publication, one that you can leave on the table, hold in your hand while you rock, lay on your towel at the beach, sit on your favorite chair and dive in. The book is meant to be shared because the contents were so carefully crafted and created to share. Digital works great in most regards, but I personally like the feel of a book, an anthology, the weight of the paper, the cover, the dog-ears of where I last set it down and the joy of picking up where I left off. Books have a place in our lives and supporting the local authors by buying and reading their books helps you as a writer and photographer see the world from another set of eyes.

What I hope those who could not attend will take from this is that Northern Michigan and UP writers have a voice, have talent and this magazine offers one aspect of that well to overflow. I am so excited to read your really great “Northern Michigan and UP” stories and poetry this August when we start accepting submissions for our Fifth edition. I am just as excited to see the stunning photography you would like to share.

Thank you again, McLean & Eakin Booksellers and Mackinaw Trail Winery and Brewery. That was fun!

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Walloon Writers Review is honored to have such outstanding contributors share their work for our Fourth Edition. Please get to know these two Michigan contributors.

Melissa Seitz authored the powerful poem “Depth of Field”, accompanied by her other remarkable talent of photography, serene “Sunrise with Morning Moon” and the exquisite photo, “Milkweed”. Melissa lives along the western shoreline of Higgins Lake, Michigan with her husband. Her work has appeared in The Bear River Review, The Dunes Review, The Lake, The Prose-Poem Project, and various other journals. Read her blog for essays on life, music and travel: http://lifeirruption.com.

Robert Vivian created a literary experience in “August Elegy” , which caught our breath and our imagination. Robert Vivian is the author of The Tall Grass Trilogy, Water and Abandon, and two meditative essay collections, Cold Snap As Yearning, and The Least Cricket of Evening. His latest book, Immortal Soft-Spoken, was just published by Awst Press.

Gaylord photographer Linda Gall captures Michigan elegantly in our Fourth Edition, as she did in our Volume 3 with stunning photography. Bridge Wash connects us, and brings the blue we rave about. Linda Gall is a lifelong resident of Gaylord and enjoys spending time with her family, boating, travel and photography. She is the former Charlevoix Photography Board President and loves wildlife, landscape and macro photography. She and her husband John have two married daughters and two grandchildren.

Extremely part-time, flexible schedule student internship opportunity (10 weeks, 5 hours most weeks) from August 1 through October 15, 2019. This is a mostly “remote” work from home internship – works well with other jobs!

Student Opportunity for Walloon Writers Review Fifth Edition

We are seeking a Student Staffer for our upcoming edition. This position is part time, can be worked with flexible scheduling with attention to set deadlines. You’ll need to be available for some productivity almost every week, but WWR will be flexible for travel or other event schedule.

Promotional activities via social media channels, interaction with the community and representation of a high quality publication intended for general audiences.

Preferences: The ideal candidate would be a college student at a Michigan college or university, a graduate of a Michigan high school that attends college or university out of state, or recent student. Must have a passion for writing and reading, have taken college level writing and literature classes, and demonstrate achievement in these classes. This is an Equal Opportunity organization. The position requires the ability to access the internet and access to a laptop, ipad/tablet or computer. This is not an office position, no place to report to on a regular basis with the exception of monthly staff meeetings. No administrative staff will be supporting and we will have our staff meetings in a convenient, coffee/chai latte/tea friendly location, included in the hours described – to be determined.

Walloon Writers Review started in 2014 and publishes a literary magazine focused on Northern Michigan and the Upper peninsula in writing and photography from a broad spectrum of contributors. The literary magazine is published annually and has grown to over 80 pages. Rate of pay is $10/hour – with total compensation reaching $500.00 for the internship. This is a Staff position.

Please send a letter of interest and resume to: editor@walloonwriters.com.

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Andrea DeJean contributed “Secret Migration, Silent” for our Fourth Edition. She writes: The poem was inspired by my many years spent on Black Lake, between Onaway and Cheboygan, and by one winter in particular during ice-fishing season while visiting my parents (who built a home on the lake in 1978 after having rented summer cabins there starting in 1961). And while my emotional attachment to Black Lake in particular and to the Northern Michigan region in general remains strong, I am a permanent resident of France and have been for the past 25 years. I am the translator of a book on biodiversity and have published my own poetry and creative fiction and non-fiction in both independent and university affiliated journals

CJ Giroux’s rich poem, “Cloudburst” catches your breath and is found on page 38 of Walloon Writers Review Fourth Edition. CJ Giroux is a lifelong resident of Michigan. He teaches at Saginaw Valley State University where he serves as assistant director of its writing center and editor of the community journal, Still Life.

Artist Katrina Valuyeva shared her exquisite photograph, “Pictured Rocks Shore” for our Fourth Edition. Katrina Valuyeva works in healthcare in parallel with a self-taught art practice with a focus on metalsmithing as well as occasional photography. She was born in Russia, grew up in Brooklyn, NY and found a permanent home in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Walloon Writers Review Fourth Edition is a collection of exceptional writing and photography that captures the essence of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Contributors have shared vivid language and images, and stories with unique perspectives of life and experiences up North. Here are two exciting short story contributors, writing about the Upper Peninsula…

Suzi Banks Baum, author of the endearing and vivid UP life-family reflection short story, “Labels”, intrigues and embraces readers with familiar Michigan childhood moments. Suzi Banks Baum is a writer, artist, actress, teacher, community organizer and mom. With roots in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, she lives in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Suzi uses the written word, hand bound books, and photographs to say what she means. Her first book, An Anthology of Babes, celebrates the writing of women artists. Deeply curious about the thresholds we cross in to creative practice, she writes personal narrative with an ear for transformation through engagement with the ordinary. Suzi has an ongoing artist residency in Gyumri, Armenia, where she leads an art and writing workshop called New Illuminations. She is published in The Collection: Flash Fiction for Flash Memory by Anchala Studios and Writing Fire by Green Fire Press. Find Suzi’s work on Easy Street, Literary Mama, Manifest Station, Asbarez, Rebelle Society, Mothers Always Write and her blog, http://www.suzibanksbaum.com.

“Drilling for Bats” is one of those stories in this edition that bring you right in. Writer J.W. Jordan carefully weaves the family history of the cottage up in the Les Cheneaux Islands, revealing generations of memories and legendary moments, with a simple task and a great touch of humor. Upon Walloon Writers Review’s request, a family photo was also shared from his blog and published in this edition. He writes, “My family has been enjoying summer-time in the Les Cheneaux Islands now for over one hundred years and counting. Growing up spending several weeks each summer at Cedar Haven, the family cottage , has been a blessing and an irreplaceable part of my life. It is a place of rich family history and natural beauty that has become part of my being and identity. My wife and I live near Indianapolis, Indiana…”. More short stories and photography can be found on his blog “The Cedar Haven Reader” (jottingsbyjon.wordpress.com).

You can find Walloon Writers Review Fourth Edition at independent bookstores such as:

Readers World – Holland; McLean & Eakin – Petoskey; Saturn Booksellers – Gaylord; Between The Covers – Harbor Springs; Horizon Books in Traverse City and now, The Bookman in Grand Haven! Online orders are available here on our website. NOTE: Shipping costs have increased due to changes at the US Post Office.

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Walloon Writers Review is honored to share the talents of our outstanding contributors. Over the next few weeks, we are offering an opportunity to learn a little about the exciting Fourth Edition contributors who make Walloon Writers Review special.

Our Fourth Edition spectacular cover photography titled ” Rumblings On the Little Bay” was contributed by Harbor Springs artist Kelly Tingle Kazmierski. Three of her works are included in our Fourth Edition, including “Morning Glory” and “View of the Beast” as they capture an array of unique and breathtaking moments. Kelly Tingle Kazmierski is a multi-medium artist and creator of original and commissioned works of photography, pencil, pen and ink, acrylic, oil and mosaic. Kelly’s most recent distinctions are highlighted with an Art Prize 2016 top-20 finalist selection, the publishing of her children’s book, The Girl with Spaghetti Hair, and a heritage photograph honored by the Harbor Springs Historical Society. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, former school teacher and veterinary technician, Kelly is a year round resident of beautiful Harbor Springs, Michigan where her influences are rooted in the natural majesty of the Great Lakes and purity of animals and nature. Here, surrounded by inspiration, is where she works from her studio above the shores of Little Traverse Bay.

Petoskey writer Glen Young submitted vivid poetry that captures the imagination and instantly transported us to the places he creates in his delectable crafting of words. Three of his poems “Ava Gardner, Casting for Native Brook Trout, Somewhere along the Yellow Dog River, 1954”; “Men Grooming Horses”; and “Miss Millay and Me” are presented together in our Fourth Edition. From his bio: Glen Young paints houses on Mackinac Island and teaches school in Petoskey. He is a longtime freelance writer. His poetry appeared recently in Thoreau at Mackinac, and he served as editor of the collection Beneath the Lilac Canopy.